Exploring the historic waterways of Matsue has never been easier than with the tour around the Horikawa canal. Visitors can enjoy the city’s rich culture and captivating scenery, hopping on and off the boats at their leisure. With multilingual support and an English audio system, the tour provides an enhanced understanding of the region’s significance. Whether you’re seeking a leisurely sightseeing experience or a deeper dive into Matsue’s hidden gems, this tour offers a flexible and accessible way to uncover the city’s charm. What secrets might these historic canals reveal?
This experience made our list of the 5 Best Tours In Matsue.
Key Points
- The tour offers a historic and immersive experience of Matsue’s waterways, including the Horikawa canal, with hop-on, hop-off boat access.
- The tour is available 7 days a week, year-round, with multilingual support and an English audio system for enhanced understanding.
- Flexible sightseeing is enabled through the hop-on, hop-off feature, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace and discover hidden gems.
- The tour starts from designated boarding locations, providing a seamless experience with on-site staff to assist visitors.
- The tour showcases the city’s rich culture and scenic beauty along the Horikawa canal, offering a unique way to explore Matsue.
Tour Overview
The tour around Matsue Horikawa offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the historic waterways of Matsue, Japan.
Featuring 19 reviews, this tour provides an immersive experience as guests hop on and off the boats to discover the city’s rich culture and scenery along the Horikawa canal.
Located in Matsue, the tour allows guests to experience the serene beauty of the waterways and gain insights into the local way of life.
With a convenient schedule available from 9 AM to 4 PM, seven days a week, the tour is an ideal way to make the most of one’s time in this charming Japanese city.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Matsue.
Booking and Availability
For those interested in booking the tour around Matsue Horikawa, confirmation is received at the time of booking. The tour is available Monday through Sunday from 9 AM to 4 PM, with the schedule spanning from February 12, 2020 to July 19, 2025. This wide availability allows visitors to plan their trip conveniently, whether they’re exploring the area on a weekday or a weekend.
The tour’s accessibility is further enhanced by its:
- Flexibility, with the hop-on, hop-off feature enabling passengers to disembark and rejoin the tour at their leisure.
- Multilingual support, including an English audio system for international guests.
- Adaptability, with a collapsible roof on the boat to navigate under bridges.
- Suitability for various travelers, though not wheelchair accessible.
Meeting and Pickup Points
There are three designated meeting and pickup points for the tour around Matsue Horikawa.
Travelers can board the tour at the 堀川遊覧船管理（事） 遊覧船乗り場, the 大手前堀川遊覧船乗り場, or the 堀川めぐり発着場.
These locations provide easy access to the tour boats, ensuring a seamless start to the Matsue Horikawa experience.
Guests can conveniently board the vessels at these designated points, where they’ll be greeted by the tour staff and provided with any necessary information or assistance.
The meeting and pickup locations have been carefully selected to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey for all participants.
Hop-on, Hop-off Feature
One of the key features of the tour around Matsue Horikawa is the hop-on, hop-off experience it offers, allowing visitors to explore the area at their own pace. This flexibility enables travelers to disembark at various points along the tour route, giving them the freedom to visit local landmarks, indulge in culinary delights, or simply take in the scenic beauty of the Horikawa waterway.
The hop-on, hop-off feature is particularly advantageous for those who wish to:
- Customize their sightseeing itinerary to match their interests and preferences.
- Spend more time at specific locations without feeling rushed.
- Discover hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path attractions.
- Enjoy a more leisurely and immersive experience of the Matsue Horikawa region.
English Audio System
The tour’s English audio system provides multilingual support, enabling international visitors to fully engage with and comprehend the historical significance and cultural nuances of the Matsue Horikawa waterway during the tour.
Through the use of high-quality headphones, guests can listen to pre-recorded narration in English, allowing them to enjoy the rich history and picturesque scenery as the boat glides along the tranquil waters.
The audio system is designed to ensure clear and uninterrupted reception, even in areas where ambient noise might otherwise hinder the listening experience.
This feature allows all tour participants, regardless of their linguistic background, to gain a deeper appreciation for the tour’s offerings and leave with a lasting impression of Matsue’s captivating Horikawa waterway.
Collapsible Roof on Boat
The collapsible roof on the boat allows it to seamlessly pass under the low-hanging bridges that span the tranquil Horikawa waterway during the tour. This retractable feature ensures that passengers can comfortably enjoy the scenic views without having to duck or disturb their surroundings as the boat navigates the historic canal.
The collapsible roof design offers several benefits:
- Unobstructed sightlines for passengers to admire the charming architecture and lush greenery along the riverbanks.
- Protection from direct sunlight and elements, enhancing the overall comfort of the tour.
- Easy passage under bridges, maintaining the smooth flow of the boat’s journey.
- A more immersive and authentic experience, as the boat blends seamlessly with the historic setting.
Accessibility and Restrictions
While the collapsible roof offers an enhanced experience, the tour around Matsue Horikawa isn’t accessible to all visitors. It’s not wheelchair-friendly, though service animals are permitted. Infants must sit on laps during the tour, which has a maximum capacity of 9 travelers.
The boarding area has a slope, which may pose challenges for some guests. However, the tour is located near public transportation, making it convenient for those who can access it.
Boarding Process
Travelers can board the tour boats at one of three designated pickup points along the Matsue Horikawa waterway: the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat Boarding Area, the Ohashi-Mae Horikawa Sightseeing Boat Boarding Area, or the Matsue Meguri Departure Point.
The boarding process is efficient, with staff on hand to assist passengers.
Come prepared with your booking confirmation, as it may be requested.
Be mindful of the slope at the boarding place, which could pose a challenge for some.
Infants must sit on laps, as the boats don’t accommodate child seats.
The collapsible roof on the boat allows for easy passage under bridges along the scenic tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Boat Tour?
Passengers are generally allowed to bring their own food and beverages on the boat tour. However, it’s best to check with the tour operator beforehand to confirm any specific policies or restrictions regarding outside items.
Is There a Restroom Available on the Boat During the Tour?
The boat tour does not have restroom facilities on board. Passengers are encouraged to use the restrooms at the meeting and pickup points before and after the tour. The tour operates on a hop-on, hop-off basis, allowing passengers to disembark and use restrooms as needed.
Do the Boats Have Seatbelts or Safety Equipment?
The boats do not have seatbelts, but they do have safety equipment like life jackets and life preservers onboard. The tour provides a safe and comfortable experience, though passengers should be aware there’s no seatbelts on the boats.
Can I Take Photos or Videos During the Tour?
Yes, passengers can take photos and videos during the tour. The tour boats have an open design, allowing for unobstructed views and photography opportunities. However, passengers should exercise caution and avoid interfering with the tour experience for others.
Is There a Tour Guide Providing Commentary in English?
The tour provides an English audio system for the commentary, allowing travelers to learn about the sights in English without the need for a live tour guide. This self-guided feature offers flexibility and independence during the boat tour.
Recap
The Matsue Horikawa canal tour offers an immersive and flexible sightseeing experience.
With multilingual support, including an English audio system, visitors can discover the city’s rich culture and scenery at their own pace.
The hop-on, hop-off boats and collapsible roof provide comfort and accessibility, making this tour an ideal way to explore Matsue’s hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path attractions.